English 340: Professional & Technical WritingDr. Ernst, Professor
Hilbert College
[Feasibility Study Template]
Introduction
A review of the needs of the ___________ Corporation indicates that changes in current [practices, procedures, personnel, equipment] should be given careful consideration. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to determine the feasibility of the following x alternatives: To retain the current [practice, procedure, personnel, equipment] (Alternative A) or to institute one of the following (Alternatives B or C).
Criteria
The study focuses on four criteria, which are given approximately equal weight:
Cost: How much will it cost the company to adopt Alternatives B or C, as
opposed to retaining Alternative A, given that cost should not exceed x number of dollars?
Feasibility: How practical is it to institute Alternative B or C, rather than
maintaining Alternative A?
Desirability: Based on a poll of workplace colleagues affected by the proposed
changes, what preference is shown toward Alternative B or C, with respect to Alternative A?
Time Management: How much time will be saved regarding the retention of
Alternative A as compared with Alternatives B and C?
Method of Obtaining Facts
To obtain data relevant to the study, one survey was conducted of colleagues affected by the proposed changes (see Appendix A for a copy of the survey instrument) and x interviews were undertaken regarding the following personnel in specific areas of expertise [as identified by you].
Overview of Alternatives
The three alternatives forming the basis for this study are described below.
Alternative A
This alternative represents present practice regarding [fill in the blank], which the company has followed for the past ten years. Alternative A consists of the following. . . .
Alternative B
This alternative consists of the following. . . . [Cite interview data, if relevant.]
Alternative C
This alternative involves the following. . . . [Cite interview data if relevant.]
Evaluation
Cost
Alternative A is not particularly cost-effective because. . . .
Alternative B would cost the following. . . .
Alternative C is more expensive than Alternative B, yet the extra cost would
provide the following advantages. . . .
Feasibility
In the past several years Alternative A has not shown itself to be as feasible as it
once was when it was first instituted, because. . . .
Alternative B is more feasible than Alternative A because. . . . [Cite interview
data, if relevant.]
Alternative C is even more feasible given the greater number of options available
as follows. . . . [Cite interview data if relevant.]
Desirability
Alternative A is not very attractive to participating personnel, according to the
poll taken for this study (for polling results regarding all three alternatives,
see Appendix). For example. . .
Alternative B received considerable support in the survey taken. For example,
70% reported that. . . .
Alternative C received almost as much support as Alternative B in the polling of
personnel because of the additional mastery that would be needed to institute this alternative. Sixty-five percent responded as follows. . . .
Time Management
Alternative A has been very costly regarding the amount of time spent to
accomplish . . . [fill in the blank].
Alternative B is far more time-efficient. Its adoption would produce a yearly
savings of x hours per week, because. . . .
Alternative C does not represent any greater savings in time than Alternative A,
but would nevertheless make available options that are not possible with Alternative A or Alternative B, because. . . .
Conclusion
Both Alternatives B and C are preferable to Alternative A (the status quo) with respect to all four criteria. Alternative C has the highest feasibility rating, but is second to Alternative B in the other three categories: Cost, Desirability, and Time Management.
Recommendations
In consideration of the foregoing evaluation and conclusion, the study recommends the adoption of Alternative B.